i bought last year a Nikon D200 with 17-70 for 90USD , after i buyed the yonguno 35 f2 , i love it! good pics and good color, quality, resolution. perfect!
Yeah this is a great message. As a beginner it’s hard not to get caught up in GAS but videos like this thankfully help keep me more focused on just going out and shooting - instead of the gear
So many good points here. Optical viewfinder, thats why I always have an Pentax beside my Olympys camera, its just so relaxing to shoot with a optical wievfinder,
Hi Robin, great topic. I was asked why my cameras are all second hand and why I haven't up graded to the latest OM1 m2. My answer is easy as they still work and I have learn't to slow down and concentrate on getting out enjoying the basics. Have just ordered a film camera from the 1990's to stop the spray and pray as there is a cost, and the excitement when the film gets back from being developed.
There really is no need for the latest and greatest, what we have is already so awesome, and if the camera was great some time ago, it is still a great camera today!
@@robinwongAgreed. Cameras don't stop being good because new things come out. People just get too used to conveniences and we the human in fact get worse, impatient, or lazy.
Completely agree. The D50 was my first foray into DSLR territory. Great little camera. MFT a tough act to beat though, Olympus is where I’m at these days.
This video isn't about D50 vs Micro Four Thirds or which camera is better. This is about understanding the camera and improving your skills as a photographer first, then gear is secondary.
Very well said and your photos speak the fact. I always have this message on my mind “money can buy the best camera instantly but not skill”, true, the more sophisticated camera do make taking pictures more easier but “not better”, if one doesn’t want to invest time to upgrade their photography skills maybe it’s time to pause and think what one really want in photography.
Great message for those who still think it is the camera that makes great photographs. A skilled photographer can make wonderful photos with practically any camera. Thanks for sharing this video. Cheers!
Thanks, appreciate that. I think learning the basics is important, if you can't get good results with older and cheaper gear, maybe the new camera won't help much either
Best thing about using an old camera is you spend more time thinking about the various aspects of the photo including framing / composing the shot. Some times less is more. Of course you must know and try to work around the limitations as much as possible. Thanks for bringing up this Robin. Nice thoughts
Hi Robin, Old cameras are fun to shoot with and it's a real confidence booster. It reminds us where we started from and by taking good photos with an old camera, it shows us how far we've come and the improvements in our skills. Many thanks Robin 😊.
I bought a D50 when it first came out, I love my D50! So much I recently bought my wife a D50 so she could get to learn a D SLR. Great video, keep them coming
Thanks for the video Robin, I agree with you. Not exactly a DSLR but I love doing street photography and photography in general with my Pany Lumix G2 from 2009. It has quite a simple and straight forward design and has all the functions you need on a dial or a button. The 12 MP sensor renders very gorgeous colours (just need to be careful with blowing the highlights) and pleasing results. And I didn't realise how much I missed the Panasonic loud slap mechanical shutter (compared to the very soft and dampened sound of Olympus mechanical shutters), it makes me feel more engaged in photography with the chuck-clunk sound and the aperture dial of 15mm f 1.7. I love my Pany G2 so much with its blue colour that I bought a Pany G1 in blue from Japan (because I didn't know they made the first mirrorless in red and blue colours besides the boring black) for only 30 £.
My goodness, you bought the G1 for only £30? That is an insane deal, I'd nab one too! You are right, for street photography, we don't need all these flasht crazy expensive latest cameras (I am looking at you Fuji and Ricoh), we do have older alternatives that can still work so well, and they may not be as capable, that means we just have to work harder and not blame our gear!
@robinwong Not only was the G1 dirt cheap but it comes with a Pany 14-42mm Power Zoom Pancake that has a small dent that won't let it stop down the aperture, I will try to see if it's really that but if it is I don't mind shooting wide open as the rest of the functions including the power zooming works fine.
All cameras I use are old, EP3, EM5 and D90. Taking picture of them still has no issue and still good. Many times I used current camera the menu and setting made me confused and the output were not better than my old ones except fast autofocus.
Great points, Robin! I use a Canon 6D, and have no interest in newer cameras. Three main reasons: 1. The 6D sensor is actually better than nearly all the more recent Canon sensors for rendering, especially colour (controversial, but true...) 2. It's a fun to use a camera mainly because I actually understand what the heck it's doing! The menu system is simple, with quick access to functions. 3. Cost: I could replace my 6D for around £350 for another in excellent condition, so I am not too nervous about the odd accident. Many owners of the latest and greatest are obsessed with protecting their cameras and so don't use them as much, fearful of a large reduction in resale value if they get scratched...
Canon 6D is still a fantastic camera today, relatively compact for full frame and it does generally everything well. No reason to upgrade unless your photography demands specific feature set.
My newest camera is an Olympus EM-5 Mark iii, which was introduced five years ago. I see no reason to upgrade. I am primarily an OM/Micro 4/3 shooter but I recently bought a used Nikon D7200 for about $500 because I have many Nikkor F-mount lenses for my film cameras. The D7200 is "modern" compared to the D50 but it is still a 2015 model. I am enjoying the D7200 quite a bit. It is also relatively compact and light weight compared to many DSLRs and is not a big shock coming from Micro 4/3.
Great topic Robin. I bought a 10 year old nikon d810 an absolutely love the images it produces. While some of the modern amenities would be nice I still enjoy using the optical viewfinder plus learning my gear to get better at photography. Thanks for all the videos you make!
Hi Robin - great video, congratulations on the idea. I myself often do the same thing, I put down my M1 mk II camera and pick up my old E-520 and go out with it to take pictures. It's great fun. As you say - you have to go back to the roots and take pictures again using the old rules, remind yourself of the rules of the magic of photography - greetings from Poland - Marek
Robin … The best advice you can provide … Yes … equipment is important depending on what you wish to photograph .. if you are a professional and photography is your source of income then you need the “ insurance policy “ of having a level camera. However, if photography is in your blood and love the art … then learn practice, and get out. It would be hard to beat even Olympus OM d 5 NOT even Mark ii, iii l. Thank you!
The original Olympus E-M5 is still super awesome today, as I have pointed out in last week's video. A lot of new generation photographers have ignored the basics and just want their images to look "filmic" without caring about exposure, shooting discipline, story-telling, decisive moment, lighting, etc. All they did was slap on some poorly edited film simulation and they thought they have made art.
It is so true. I'm always thinking about buying new gadgets and I always end up at the point where I say what I have is good enough. My Panasonic GX9 satisfies me completely. It's not the newest, it's not the best and the lenses available to me aren't always the best choice either .. but hey .. it takes good photos. That's all I want 😊
Robin, I cannot thank you enough for talking me out of adding a new OM-1 Mk II plus lens(es) to add to my Sony full frame equipment. I came to serious digital photography late in life and started with an A7R4. For several months you, Emily at M4 Nerds, Matti and his pal Aleksi, plus several other YT'ers have slowly been giving me M43 Gas. Then recently, the Black Friday sales have knocked $500 off the price. Now all I have to do is actually practice discipline. Cheers.
I remember the switch from the D50 to the D300s. I was disappointed of the D300s at first because it was a lot easier to get good photos from the D50. I kept the D50 after I sold the D300s because it was a lot lighter and easier to handle for street photography. Well, things have changed a little these days but gear does not compensate for skill and experience.
Gear definitely does matter: I bought the OM-1 with 40-150/2.8 and it really unlocked a new world of photography for me. But I've already had almost 10 years of experience shooting with a budget body and two primes (25 and 45). A good rule of thumb IMHO is to only upgrade when you feel you've reached max level on your current setup. Also, it's definitely a very good learning experience to consciously choose a limited setup and learn to work around those limitations. Plus, it's fun :) Good vid. Photography youtube is too focused on megapixels and dynamic range stops, and not enough on the artform itself.
Gear only makes a difference if you know how to exploit its strengths, and you said it - experience matters more. Give someone the best gear, without proper knowledge and skills, the gear means nothing!
The funny thing is that we have been in photography for a long time, many of these older cameras shot sports, wildlife, portraits, and street photography, and we were happy with that camera. All of my cameras are 12 years or older and I can shoot anything now as when they were new. I may not have 20 FPS or more, but when I started with photography, I didn't have it, and I managed.
A lot of newer tech is for convenience, and they do help in some ways to make our lives better. But that does not take away the fundamentals and necessity in mastering the basics, which many new photographers seem to ignore.
Ha, I thought there are a lot of 35mm shots in your reel and you said in your last video, you don't like the 17mm mft angle of view, you prefer the 25mm. Then I realized, that is a APS-C with crop 1,5 and here we go again at about 50 mm FF or your 25 mm mft 👍
Hi, Robin, I know these videos don't get as many views as gear reviews, but I appreciate them. Maybe you can make a video about your thought process to create a photo... all the decisions you made before pressing the shutter.
Thanks, appreciate that. I have made so many POV videos, you don't need to listen to me talk, as I don't talk when I take photos, and sometimes I need to act very quickly. These POV videos show you what happens around and in front of me before I click my shutter button - how I pick my subjects, my timing, my framing, everything.
People are obsessed with the latest autofocus and if you can see noise when you pixel peep but forget about photography. I get that it's a hobby and they like collecting tech but it's not really important. I enjoy using older gear and you get a great look from it. I only like the tech and sharpness for when doing bird photography but even then people used to get by with less.
I grew up with manual everything cameras & film. I could get any shot using them. I sold my first Kodachrome slides of animals to a pet magazine when I was 15 1/2 years old. I won $100 in a woman's day magazine photo contest. I studied and practiced with a Fujica ST605 manual camera. I shot weddings for hire with it too. I upgraded to a Canon AE-1 (that was luxury to me), shot with medium format all types. Try carrying a manual Mamiya RB67 around at weddings all day. LOL! Funny how people can't seem to get the shot with their all automation digital gear. I use a lot of old gear. You have to learn about light, f-stops, shutter speeds, film etc before you can be consistent in great photos. We got lazy with digital.
Yeap, never skip the basics, get the fundamentals right, something that the newer generation of photographers have forgotten about. All they care about is "film simulation" and filters and how filmic their images look, with badly exposed, poorly composed and images with no meaningful content.
@@robinwong It's true. We were extremely lucky to grow up in an analog natural world. Using film, acoustic musical intstruments, painting with actual brush & paper. Now it's all Apps. It's a shame really. Not saying I don't love using that stuff, but it is NOT the same. Sadly many supposed professional photographers think they are just that. When I see their work I cringe. The lighting and color are incorrect and the poses are inundated with background noise or just not natural. I equate it to the art of the present with the picture of the banana taped to a canvas with duct tape VS the Statues carved out of marble in the old world or classical music using beautiful pipe organs or Stradivarius Violins, etc. We have degraded not improved. :(
For most of us mere mortals, our camera is always going to far more capable than we are. Which is exactly why I didn’t heed my own advice and sold my D7000 earlier in the year and bought an OM-1.2 😂🤦♂️
To be fair, some older cameras do exhibit issues, and as any consumer products out there they can fail or break down. Upgrading to newer gear makes sense if you have to.
I have many old cameras. Just sometimes the AF is a bit cumbersome. But if Im just taking pics of some static or slow moving objects/event, it is still ok. But concerning GAS, there is one specific VINTAGE GAS. I know guys who have cabinets full of old cameras they bought in recent years just to have them :D One has full collection of older Panasonic compact cameras. Other has one room dedicated to display of digital Minolta/Sony Alpha DSLRs with many lenses :D It can also be very expensive disease :D :D :D And I have similar relation with old Pentax stuff :D And agree. Cameras 10 years old are perfectly fine even for serious shooting today. Technology improved of course. But while 2004-2014 was a huge jump in options and functionality, 2014-2024 not so much. Some D800E or Pentax K3 or EOS 5DIII still can do a lot.
Collecting older cameras is still cheaper than chasing the latest gear. For example, the Nikon D50 is only USD30! I can buy 20 of these and still cannot afford the latest Nikon Z9!
💯 Unfortunately, I _have_ to use new-ish cameras. My hand tremors have gotten bad enough that I can no longer take sharp pictures without strong IS or shutter speed of 1/250 or faster.
Not only will an older, simpler camera help you become a better photographer, it will help you become a better editor who can squeeze fantastic final images out of technically challenging captures.
In contrary to that, images from older cameras have less room to edit (limited dynamic range), hence you need to get everything right in camera before pressing the shutter button, as editing won't be able to save you. This in turn, improves shooting discipline.
Upgrading skills are hard. Practice, study, read books, practice, do some projects, etc. It obviously won't happen in a night. On the other hand, upgrading camera is way easier, e.g make sure your bank account balance is at least $2000. Problem solved :D
Not the usual message on photography youtube, especially for M43. 😄 Panasonic for example, still sell the very popular GX9 and even the GX80/85. "These cameras are _great!"_ goes the cry, "but where's the new one?" (Meanwhile I'm buying old GFs and E-PLs and loving them.) Honestly, maybe I'm being a bit alarmist, but I think even the 'gear acquisition syndrome' acronym doesn't help. "Ooh, I've got an attack of GAS. Tee hee hee." Taking what looks like a genuine addiction - to consumerism, to 'buying stuff', to spending large sums of money on something that'll end up on MPB in a month or two - and handwaving it away with a fart joke...
I don't agree with a lot of photography TH-camrs these days, many just jump ship way too often, some got technical facts completely wrong (hence the need to go back to basics, know your fundamentals) and some just want to make video but don't really care about the art of photography at all.
What a pity that you didn't mention the lens at all. It seems to be a particularly fast one and the design with the integrated lens hood is rarely seen in lenses für mirrorless cameras these days. - Again very nice photos from Kuala Lumpur, thanks Robin!
I used mostly Yongnuo 35mm F2 lens, and some Nikon 50mm F1.8, but that is outside the point I was trying to make. The lenses are just as cheap as the camera.
Looking to get back into photography. Budget was going towards an om1mkii. Should I buy older and better lenses or have the peace of mind with the newest flagship that would be future proofing for myself?
Hi try saving up for photography class or do a trip to a city trip to place like London or find a local photographer offering such a trip. That is my plan for next year and plan a project for next year!!😊
@@LEGOTROLL1 You need to buy them in bulk (like someone that sells it's old cards because he got new ones). I picked up from eBay a batch of old cards ranging 512megs to 1-2gb (for my old cameras). And they did not cost me more than 100$ for all that.
Yeah I totally dig that. Especially so for lenses. I think lenses are heavily overrated. If you can not take an awesome photo on let's say a 20$ vintage 50mm 1.8 ...you won't take a better photo by using the new Canon L redring 2000$ 50mm 1.2 something... Either. I shoot 99% on old MF glass. In 2024 I would still get a cheap used mirrorless instead of an Dslr. Could be anything. Em10, a6000. Fuji xt1 1. MF glass just works way better on mirrorless with focus peaking and whatnot. 2. Is just the sheer size and weight differences to me. I simply don't want to carry around a chunky dslr anymore. 3. And this one is my game changer! The fact you can use mirrorless without a viewfinder way better and actually seeing what you do. Hold on! Did this guy just said, he doesn't like viewfinders? YES... Because I wear glasses, and they are quite thick too. On most viewfinders in Dslr I could not even see the entire image because I couldn't get close enough so I was always guessing. Also every time you use the VF..you either scratch or smear your glasses so it's permanently dirty. I hated that every single second. And VF+wearing glasses is probably the Nr 1 thing I hate in photography. So the fact I can now prop. Use a display most of the time and I don't have to smash my glasses to a VF smearing my glasses while simultaneously smearing the display cause I press my nose against it is literally a game changer. Still... If you gave me a Nikon D90 I would still use it and take nice photos. But if I could spend just a little more $ I would go with a small used mirrorless instead
I fully agree about the mirrorless vs DSLR argument. I am a mirrorless shooter, so I am already a believer. However, that does not mean the older cameras, older DSLRs suddenly become not good, or cannot take nice pictures any more. The point I am trying to make is - you don't need the latest and greatest - work with what you have, I'd almost guarantee it is more than sufficient.
Yeah I'm at my third D70s... They all get the dreaded "ERR" error... But I got a 2 or 4gb card and let it stay in the camera and use the USB cable to transfer the photos from the camera to the PC. So far, no more play with the card and I never got the ERR error again. 🤞 What's the problem with Canon 5D classic ? They fail often ? 😮 I always wanted to buy one for the marvelous sensor.
I have a Nikon D200 which is way better than the D50, but my pictures taken with it are not even close to the razor sharpness of the pictures you took with the D50 😢😢😢
D200 was aimed at professionals and prosumers that were very likely to post process their pictures on the computer, hence more head room for that in the files. D50 was aimed at consumers that would rarely post process their pics - hence more aggressive sharpening algorithms in the camera that make the OOC images look more attractive to the eye.
i bought last year a Nikon D200 with 17-70 for 90USD , after i buyed the yonguno 35 f2 , i love it! good pics and good color, quality, resolution. perfect!
Yeah this is a great message. As a beginner it’s hard not to get caught up in GAS but videos like this thankfully help keep me more focused on just going out and shooting - instead of the gear
So many good points here. Optical viewfinder, thats why I always have an Pentax beside my Olympys camera, its just so relaxing to shoot with a optical wievfinder,
Hi Robin, great topic. I was asked why my cameras are all second hand and why I haven't up graded to the latest OM1 m2. My answer is easy as they still work and I have learn't to slow down and concentrate on getting out enjoying the basics. Have just ordered a film camera from the 1990's to stop the spray and pray as there is a cost, and the excitement when the film gets back from being developed.
There really is no need for the latest and greatest, what we have is already so awesome, and if the camera was great some time ago, it is still a great camera today!
@@robinwongAgreed. Cameras don't stop being good because new things come out. People just get too used to conveniences and we the human in fact get worse, impatient, or lazy.
Completely agree. The D50 was my first foray into DSLR territory. Great little camera. MFT a tough act to beat though, Olympus is where I’m at these days.
This video isn't about D50 vs Micro Four Thirds or which camera is better. This is about understanding the camera and improving your skills as a photographer first, then gear is secondary.
Very well said and your photos speak the fact. I always have this message on my mind “money can buy the best camera instantly but not skill”, true, the more sophisticated camera do make taking pictures more easier but “not better”, if one doesn’t want to invest time to upgrade their photography skills maybe it’s time to pause and think what one really want in photography.
Agreed, there is no substitute to time and hard work, you need to put in the effort to become better in photography!
I love street photography and I don't even have newest gear. I have still OMD EM 10 Mark IIIs and it works completely good
Those E-M10 cameras are super awesome
I was at the museum the other day. I saw someone with a Nikon D5000 series DSLR and someone with a Leica.
Great message for those who still think it is the camera that makes great photographs. A skilled photographer can make wonderful photos with practically any camera. Thanks for sharing this video. Cheers!
Thanks, appreciate that. I think learning the basics is important, if you can't get good results with older and cheaper gear, maybe the new camera won't help much either
Best thing about using an old camera is you spend more time thinking about the various aspects of the photo including framing / composing the shot. Some times less is more.
Of course you must know and try to work around the limitations as much as possible.
Thanks for bringing up this Robin. Nice thoughts
No worries, it is my pleasure to share, and working around the limitations will grow you as a photographer!
Nikon d50 are à great organic camera, i havé one and use everytime, I love ccd Colors
I agree with this video 100%. I bought my Canon 5D III new and I am still using it. I don't see the need to update to newer mirrorless cameras.
Hi Robin, Old cameras are fun to shoot with and it's a real confidence booster. It reminds us where we started from and by taking good photos with an old camera, it shows us how far we've come and the improvements in our skills. Many thanks Robin 😊.
Thanks, and yes, older cameras are just so fun to work with
@@robinwong Your very welcome Robin, thank you 😊
I bought a D50 when it first came out, I love my D50! So much I recently bought my wife a D50 so she could get to learn a D SLR. Great video, keep them coming
Thanks for the video Robin, I agree with you. Not exactly a DSLR but I love doing street photography and photography in general with my Pany Lumix G2 from 2009. It has quite a simple and straight forward design and has all the functions you need on a dial or a button. The 12 MP sensor renders very gorgeous colours (just need to be careful with blowing the highlights) and pleasing results. And I didn't realise how much I missed the Panasonic loud slap mechanical shutter (compared to the very soft and dampened sound of Olympus mechanical shutters), it makes me feel more engaged in photography with the chuck-clunk sound and the aperture dial of 15mm f 1.7.
I love my Pany G2 so much with its blue colour that I bought a Pany G1 in blue from Japan (because I didn't know they made the first mirrorless in red and blue colours besides the boring black) for only 30 £.
My goodness, you bought the G1 for only £30? That is an insane deal, I'd nab one too! You are right, for street photography, we don't need all these flasht crazy expensive latest cameras (I am looking at you Fuji and Ricoh), we do have older alternatives that can still work so well, and they may not be as capable, that means we just have to work harder and not blame our gear!
@robinwong Not only was the G1 dirt cheap but it comes with a Pany 14-42mm Power Zoom Pancake that has a small dent that won't let it stop down the aperture, I will try to see if it's really that but if it is I don't mind shooting wide open as the rest of the functions including the power zooming works fine.
The Olympus 40-150R has kind of dropped off a bunch of recommended lists, but it is still my most recommended lens in M43.
I still love it and use it often!
All cameras I use are old, EP3, EM5 and D90. Taking picture of them still has no issue and still good. Many times I used current camera the menu and setting made me confused and the output were not better than my old ones except fast autofocus.
The cameras you mentioned were all amazing. They can still produce excellent results today.
Great points, Robin!
I use a Canon 6D, and have no interest in newer cameras. Three main reasons:
1. The 6D sensor is actually better than nearly all the more recent Canon sensors for rendering, especially colour (controversial, but true...)
2. It's a fun to use a camera mainly because I actually understand what the heck it's doing! The menu system is simple, with quick access to functions.
3. Cost: I could replace my 6D for around £350 for another in excellent condition, so I am not too nervous about the odd accident. Many owners of the latest and greatest are obsessed with protecting their cameras and so don't use them as much, fearful of a large reduction in resale value if they get scratched...
Canon 6D is still a fantastic camera today, relatively compact for full frame and it does generally everything well. No reason to upgrade unless your photography demands specific feature set.
Boy, did I need this today. Great pictures. Thanks Robin.
I am one of those hobbyists worried more about a good looking image than those precise image. I love old sensors
My newest camera is an Olympus EM-5 Mark iii, which was introduced five years ago. I see no reason to upgrade. I am primarily an OM/Micro 4/3 shooter but I recently bought a used Nikon D7200 for about $500 because I have many Nikkor F-mount lenses for my film cameras. The D7200 is "modern" compared to the D50 but it is still a 2015 model. I am enjoying the D7200 quite a bit. It is also relatively compact and light weight compared to many DSLRs and is not a big shock coming from Micro 4/3.
Makes sense to get the D7000 considering your collection of Nikon lenses. These lenses need some love too!
Great topic Robin. I bought a 10 year old nikon d810 an absolutely love the images it produces. While some of the modern amenities would be nice I still enjoy using the optical viewfinder plus learning my gear to get better at photography. Thanks for all the videos you make!
Hi Robin - great video, congratulations on the idea. I myself often do the same thing, I put down my M1 mk II camera and pick up my old E-520 and go out with it to take pictures. It's great fun. As you say - you have to go back to the roots and take pictures again using the old rules, remind yourself of the rules of the magic of photography - greetings from Poland - Marek
It is important to go back to basics and not forget them! Something the newer generation photographers need to do a lot more.
Robin … The best advice you can provide … Yes … equipment is important depending on what you wish to photograph .. if you are a professional and photography is your source of income then you need the “ insurance policy “ of having a level camera. However, if photography is in your blood and love the art … then learn practice, and get out. It would be hard to beat even Olympus OM d 5 NOT even Mark ii, iii l.
Thank you!
The original Olympus E-M5 is still super awesome today, as I have pointed out in last week's video. A lot of new generation photographers have ignored the basics and just want their images to look "filmic" without caring about exposure, shooting discipline, story-telling, decisive moment, lighting, etc. All they did was slap on some poorly edited film simulation and they thought they have made art.
It is so true. I'm always thinking about buying new gadgets and I always end up at the point where I say what I have is good enough. My Panasonic GX9 satisfies me completely. It's not the newest, it's not the best and the lenses available to me aren't always the best choice either .. but hey .. it takes good photos. That's all I want 😊
Panasonic GX9 is pretty awesome, and depends on what you do, if street photography it is more than good enough!
Robin, I cannot thank you enough for talking me out of adding a new OM-1 Mk II plus lens(es) to add to my Sony full frame equipment. I came to serious digital photography late in life and started with an A7R4. For several months you, Emily at M4 Nerds, Matti and his pal Aleksi, plus several other YT'ers have slowly been giving me M43 Gas. Then recently, the Black Friday sales have knocked $500 off the price. Now all I have to do is actually practice discipline. Cheers.
No worries, glad I can share a little here. Shooting discipline is extremely important - they matter more than gear
The Nikon D50 was the camera I really learnt photography with. I only upgraded to the D90 when I needed higher resolution and more control.
And the D50 is still awesome today
My line up: D80 (CCD-Colors, Controls), D7000 (Sharpness, rich Colors, Controls), 450D (Compact, Canon Colors.. happy! :)
All amazing cameras
I remember the switch from the D50 to the D300s. I was disappointed of the D300s at first because it was a lot easier to get good photos from the D50. I kept the D50 after I sold the D300s because it was a lot lighter and easier to handle for street photography. Well, things have changed a little these days but gear does not compensate for skill and experience.
I wish the newer photographers hear this, skill and experience are important, gear is secondary.
Fantastic. I remember when I bought my first DSLR back in 2014 assuming it was going to do everything for me. Oh how I was wrong. 🤣
I think a DSLR from 2014 is still going to be super awesome today!
@robinwong Absolutely. Even the Nikon D3 from 2007 is an excellent choice.
Gear definitely does matter: I bought the OM-1 with 40-150/2.8 and it really unlocked a new world of photography for me. But I've already had almost 10 years of experience shooting with a budget body and two primes (25 and 45). A good rule of thumb IMHO is to only upgrade when you feel you've reached max level on your current setup.
Also, it's definitely a very good learning experience to consciously choose a limited setup and learn to work around those limitations. Plus, it's fun :)
Good vid. Photography youtube is too focused on megapixels and dynamic range stops, and not enough on the artform itself.
Gear only makes a difference if you know how to exploit its strengths, and you said it - experience matters more. Give someone the best gear, without proper knowledge and skills, the gear means nothing!
The funny thing is that we have been in photography for a long time, many of these older cameras shot sports, wildlife, portraits, and street photography, and we were happy with that camera.
All of my cameras are 12 years or older and I can shoot anything now as when they were new.
I may not have 20 FPS or more, but when I started with photography, I didn't have it, and I managed.
A lot of newer tech is for convenience, and they do help in some ways to make our lives better. But that does not take away the fundamentals and necessity in mastering the basics, which many new photographers seem to ignore.
I think that advice can be applied in any field. Can't do something with basic tools? Upgrade your skill before gear.
Thanks for your thought on well thought out topic video. 👍💜✨
No worries, glad I can share
Hola Robin saludos desde Mexico. You are absolutly right
Cheers
Ha, I thought there are a lot of 35mm shots in your reel and you said in your last video, you don't like the 17mm mft angle of view, you prefer the 25mm. Then I realized, that is a APS-C with crop 1,5 and here we go again at about 50 mm FF or your 25 mm mft 👍
50mm, all day, every day!
Center AF on DSLR is adequate for many genres anyway. We can't trade a years of practice with anything.
Experience is very important too
I've just bought an original EM5. It wasn't as cheap as yours, though. Just £189 delivered and it uses all my lenses. I also have a Panasonic GF3.
Hi, Robin, I know these videos don't get as many views as gear reviews, but I appreciate them. Maybe you can make a video about your thought process to create a photo... all the decisions you made before pressing the shutter.
Thanks, appreciate that. I have made so many POV videos, you don't need to listen to me talk, as I don't talk when I take photos, and sometimes I need to act very quickly. These POV videos show you what happens around and in front of me before I click my shutter button - how I pick my subjects, my timing, my framing, everything.
People are obsessed with the latest autofocus and if you can see noise when you pixel peep but forget about photography.
I get that it's a hobby and they like collecting tech but it's not really important.
I enjoy using older gear and you get a great look from it.
I only like the tech and sharpness for when doing bird photography but even then people used to get by with less.
Technical obsession is a distraction, it matters in some areas, but most of all, there are other more important things that make a good photograph.
I grew up with manual everything cameras & film. I could get any shot using them. I sold my first Kodachrome slides of animals to a pet magazine when I was 15 1/2 years old. I won $100 in a woman's day magazine photo contest. I studied and practiced with a Fujica ST605 manual camera. I shot weddings for hire with it too. I upgraded to a Canon AE-1 (that was luxury to me), shot with medium format all types. Try carrying a manual Mamiya RB67 around at weddings all day. LOL! Funny how people can't seem to get the shot with their all automation digital gear. I use a lot of old gear. You have to learn about light, f-stops, shutter speeds, film etc before you can be consistent in great photos. We got lazy with digital.
Yeap, never skip the basics, get the fundamentals right, something that the newer generation of photographers have forgotten about. All they care about is "film simulation" and filters and how filmic their images look, with badly exposed, poorly composed and images with no meaningful content.
@@robinwong It's true. We were extremely lucky to grow up in an analog natural world. Using film, acoustic musical intstruments, painting with actual brush & paper. Now it's all Apps. It's a shame really. Not saying I don't love using that stuff, but it is NOT the same. Sadly many supposed professional photographers think they are just that. When I see their work I cringe. The lighting and color are incorrect and the poses are inundated with background noise or just not natural. I equate it to the art of the present with the picture of the banana taped to a canvas with duct tape VS the Statues carved out of marble in the old world or classical music using beautiful pipe organs or Stradivarius Violins, etc. We have degraded not improved. :(
For most of us mere mortals, our camera is always going to far more capable than we are. Which is exactly why I didn’t heed my own advice and sold my D7000 earlier in the year and bought an OM-1.2 😂🤦♂️
To be fair, some older cameras do exhibit issues, and as any consumer products out there they can fail or break down. Upgrading to newer gear makes sense if you have to.
I have many old cameras. Just sometimes the AF is a bit cumbersome. But if Im just taking pics of some static or slow moving objects/event, it is still ok.
But concerning GAS, there is one specific VINTAGE GAS. I know guys who have cabinets full of old cameras they bought in recent years just to have them :D One has full collection of older Panasonic compact cameras. Other has one room dedicated to display of digital Minolta/Sony Alpha DSLRs with many lenses :D It can also be very expensive disease :D :D :D
And I have similar relation with old Pentax stuff :D
And agree. Cameras 10 years old are perfectly fine even for serious shooting today. Technology improved of course. But while 2004-2014 was a huge jump in options and functionality, 2014-2024 not so much. Some D800E or Pentax K3 or EOS 5DIII still can do a lot.
Collecting older cameras is still cheaper than chasing the latest gear. For example, the Nikon D50 is only USD30! I can buy 20 of these and still cannot afford the latest Nikon Z9!
just love the sooc jpeg of my E5. DSLR is the new film😂
Olympus makes one of the best JPEGs out there
💯
Unfortunately, I _have_ to use new-ish cameras. My hand tremors have gotten bad enough that I can no longer take sharp pictures without strong IS or shutter speed of 1/250 or faster.
E-M1 which has quite a powerful 5-Axis IS built in was launched in 2013 - 11 years ago.
@@robinwong You're right! I forget that 2013 was that long ago! 😅
Not only will an older, simpler camera help you become a better photographer, it will help you become a better editor who can squeeze fantastic final images out of technically challenging captures.
In contrary to that, images from older cameras have less room to edit (limited dynamic range), hence you need to get everything right in camera before pressing the shutter button, as editing won't be able to save you. This in turn, improves shooting discipline.
Cool video! Nice camera!
Thanks
Where did you get that wrist strap please? Make?
Not worth recommending, it is a cheap, plastic strap from China, no brand, and you can find something much better
@@robinwong Thanks Robin.
Thank you :)
Cheers
I still using an canon eos M and i wanna buy 22mm F2 for it's pair, becuse i stuck on kit lens hehe.
It seems to me that 6mp delivers better results than modern 25mp cameras ! 🤔
Upgrading skills are hard. Practice, study, read books, practice, do some projects, etc. It obviously won't happen in a night.
On the other hand, upgrading camera is way easier, e.g make sure your bank account balance is at least $2000. Problem solved :D
It is always the harder route that reaps more benefits!
The new stripped down affordable GoPro and sub $1000 Fuji are selling like crazy. That should be a hint to all the camera companies but it won't be.
We need the prices to come down from the stratosphere
Not the usual message on photography youtube, especially for M43. 😄 Panasonic for example, still sell the very popular GX9 and even the GX80/85. "These cameras are _great!"_ goes the cry, "but where's the new one?"
(Meanwhile I'm buying old GFs and E-PLs and loving them.)
Honestly, maybe I'm being a bit alarmist, but I think even the 'gear acquisition syndrome' acronym doesn't help. "Ooh, I've got an attack of GAS. Tee hee hee." Taking what looks like a genuine addiction - to consumerism, to 'buying stuff', to spending large sums of money on something that'll end up on MPB in a month or two - and handwaving it away with a fart joke...
I don't agree with a lot of photography TH-camrs these days, many just jump ship way too often, some got technical facts completely wrong (hence the need to go back to basics, know your fundamentals) and some just want to make video but don't really care about the art of photography at all.
Well said. But a DSLR isn't for me, mostly for the size. An old Sony Nex and some manual lens make the trick, or the 20mm pancake.
This video isn't about DSLR or mirrorless camera. It is about - gear does not matter. Use what you have, it is good enough.
What a pity that you didn't mention the lens at all. It seems to be a particularly fast one and the design with the integrated lens hood is rarely seen in lenses für mirrorless cameras these days. - Again very nice photos from Kuala Lumpur, thanks Robin!
I used mostly Yongnuo 35mm F2 lens, and some Nikon 50mm F1.8, but that is outside the point I was trying to make. The lenses are just as cheap as the camera.
Looking to get back into photography. Budget was going towards an om1mkii. Should I buy older and better lenses or have the peace of mind with the newest flagship that would be future proofing for myself?
Hi try saving up for photography class or do a trip to a city trip to place like London or find a local photographer offering such a trip. That is my plan for next year and plan a project for next year!!😊
@@taterandy3958 i don't currently have a camera at all other than my smartphone... was waiting for a black Friday sale here in the USA.
I'd go for lenses first - different lenses allow you to do more.
The d50 has a great ccd sensor, problem is it only allows tops 2gb SD card.
What's wrong with 2GB cards?
@robinwong expensive now and hard to find 😆
@@LEGOTROLL1 You need to buy them in bulk (like someone that sells it's old cards because he got new ones). I picked up from eBay a batch of old cards ranging 512megs to 1-2gb (for my old cameras). And they did not cost me more than 100$ for all that.
First I need a camera. Then I'll upgrade my skill 😂
It’s the photographer that makes the image pop not the camera or technology
That is indeed true
Yeah I totally dig that. Especially so for lenses. I think lenses are heavily overrated. If you can not take an awesome photo on let's say a 20$ vintage 50mm 1.8 ...you won't take a better photo by using the new Canon L redring 2000$ 50mm 1.2 something... Either.
I shoot 99% on old MF glass.
In 2024 I would still get a cheap used mirrorless instead of an Dslr. Could be anything. Em10, a6000. Fuji xt1
1. MF glass just works way better on mirrorless with focus peaking and whatnot.
2. Is just the sheer size and weight differences to me. I simply don't want to carry around a chunky dslr anymore.
3. And this one is my game changer! The fact you can use mirrorless without a viewfinder way better and actually seeing what you do. Hold on! Did this guy just said, he doesn't like viewfinders? YES... Because I wear glasses, and they are quite thick too. On most viewfinders in Dslr I could not even see the entire image because I couldn't get close enough so I was always guessing. Also every time you use the VF..you either scratch or smear your glasses so it's permanently dirty. I hated that every single second. And VF+wearing glasses is probably the Nr 1 thing I hate in photography.
So the fact I can now prop. Use a display most of the time and I don't have to smash my glasses to a VF smearing my glasses while simultaneously smearing the display cause I press my nose against it is literally a game changer.
Still... If you gave me a Nikon D90 I would still use it and take nice photos. But if I could spend just a little more $ I would go with a small used mirrorless instead
I fully agree about the mirrorless vs DSLR argument. I am a mirrorless shooter, so I am already a believer.
However, that does not mean the older cameras, older DSLRs suddenly become not good, or cannot take nice pictures any more. The point I am trying to make is - you don't need the latest and greatest - work with what you have, I'd almost guarantee it is more than sufficient.
If there is a way to repair Canon 5DMk1 I would use it with 50.4 for forever.
Yeah the only drawback with using very old gear is that they do break down after a while.
Yeah I'm at my third D70s... They all get the dreaded "ERR" error... But I got a 2 or 4gb card and let it stay in the camera and use the USB cable to transfer the photos from the camera to the PC. So far, no more play with the card and I never got the ERR error again. 🤞 What's the problem with Canon 5D classic ? They fail often ? 😮 I always wanted to buy one for the marvelous sensor.
한국에서는 이 가격으로 D300을 구매할 수 있어요😂
I have a Nikon D200 which is way better than the D50, but my pictures taken with it are not even close to the razor sharpness of the pictures you took with the D50 😢😢😢
D200 was aimed at professionals and prosumers that were very likely to post process their pictures on the computer, hence more head room for that in the files. D50 was aimed at consumers that would rarely post process their pics - hence more aggressive sharpening algorithms in the camera that make the OOC images look more attractive to the eye.
Like you good video
GAS can also apply to yesteryears flagship DSLR
There is no harm in trying something that is so cheap, for example a $30 camera. If it was already almost 20 years, I'd say that is NOT GAS any more.